Is responsible for no support to ground battles from air force it is people who with tears read this history but policy makers make money in almost all defence deals like bofors we hope against hope as our experience of kargil
Be clear about one thing--in times of war it is the military and the political hierarchy which takes decisions as to the conduct of all defensive and offensive operations .No outsiders are involved unless the Nation is either on the brink of defeat ,or is not sure of its own military and diplomatic strength against an enemy who has proved itself to be stronger. Whether use of offensive air power would have tilted the balance in favour of India , at a time when the Army and the Nation were not giving a very good account of of itself , is a moot point and we can make all sorts of conjectures now. May be if we had used the Indian Navy to seal the SLOC\'s Westwards from the Malacca Straits onwards , the Chinese may have sued for peace!! But we did not use the Navy aggressively! Viewed pragmatically , the Country was not only militarily unprepared to fight a war but frankly speaking the National will and resolve was also lacking. As Indians , it was definitely not our finest hour--we were ready to buckle too soon. England,under the leadership of Churchill fought for more than a year against vastly superior forces --all alone. Sorry , but I disagree if now it is being said that the \'Government/Nehru\' did not approve the \' use of the IAF \'. By no means am I disparaging the valiant effort of the soldiers and the airmen who did what they did to the extent possible--but had the two Chiefs (that is if they had the resources and the combat power ) categorically stated wit
Be clear about one thing--in times of war it is the military and the political hierarchy which takes decisions as to the conduct of all defensive and offensive operations .No outsiders are involved unless the Nation is either on the brink of defeat ,or is not sure of its own military and diplomatic strength against an enemy who has proved itself to be stronger. Whether use of offensive air power would have tilted the balance in favour of India , at a time when the Army and the Nation were not giving a very good account of of itself , is a moot point and we can make all sorts of conjectures now. May be if we had used the Indian Navy to seal the SLOC's Westwards from the Malacca Straits onwards , the Chinese may have sued for peace!! But we did not use the Navy aggressively! Viewed pragmatically , the Country was not only militarily unprepared to fight a war but frankly speaking the National will and resolve was also lacking. As Indians , it was definitely not our finest hour--we were ready to buckle to soon. England,under the leadership of Churchill fought for more than a year against vastly superior forces --all alone. Sorry , but I disagree if now it is being said that the 'Government/Nehru' did not approve the ' use of the IAF '. By no means am I disparaging the valiant effort of the soldiers and the airmen who did what they did to the extent possible--but had the two Chiefs (that is if they had the resources and the combat power ) categorically stated with the confidence
Re: 62 war
by sam raj on Nov 26, 2012 07:19 AM
Going by the number of people got killed from both the sides, it is not a full war as India (Nehru & Menon) has surrendered to China for a redefined LOC
Knowing this Indian history, now China is claiming few other places (Anunachal Pradesh etc) as if it is theirs and including them in their official map (recently added in their passport)
My question here is, Who is the owner of Himalayas? put aside Puranas & Historical stories around it...Is there a way to patent Himalayas with India?
We have least Infrastructure development around the borders of Himalayas since historically our focus was towards Pakistan. On the other hand China has done a full Infrastructure development in the entire stretch of Himalayas, with that they will be able to prepare for a full war within a short span of time.
Himalayas is the Water source for India and Pakistan, very soon China is going to claim this Region as theirs and they will plan for diverting all the Water sources to China (like the one planned in Brahmaputra River diversion)
The only string India had to play in 1960'S was Tibet, which is a natural protector of India from China, we should work towards liberating Tibet from China's occupancy to protect our self in a large extend
India has started playing the 2nd string also (thanks to Dr Manmohan singh, who has attended the ASEAN meet in the last consecutive years), this will definitely irritate China in the area of their dispute with ASEAN countries over South China sea wat
When everyone talks about the Army and Air-force, the Navy is forgotten.
Indian navy also had a active participation in their own way to support the army. I was part of it and will NOT divulge the details. Let my Navy do it.
He hugely underestimated Chinese determination to defend what it regarded as its territory as well as hugely overestimated Indian defence preparedness!
He misread the situation by miles...and ended up ordering the Indian military to 'forward positions' (euphemism for territory over which he regarded India as having some tenuous claim as well as which China regarded as its own territory and that was wronly claimed by Tibet with the aid of British map-makers) when in fact, it did not have the wherewithal to protect even its home bases!!
Nehru is said to have never really recovered from this debacle and his death less than 2 years later is attributed in part at least by one biographer (Mr.Mathai) to it.
My father was flown out of Walong towards the end of the battle after being seriously wounded,it was the commitment of the pilots to stick with the Army. Without the IAF logistic support the state would have been much worse. You can read about that battle at http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/LAND-FORCES/Army/History/1962War/Walong.html. I am an EX Navy Seaharrier pilot and can fully appreciate the skill and nerve required to fly there.I also have to thank the IAF's MI 17 crew that flew me to Khibitoo from wallong when they found out that my father had been at that battle
During the war with China is an unforgetable. At that time Chinibhai - chinibhai - Panchsheel - were hold by us. We never expect a war from china. We, India was not prepared for war. But china has cheated us.
We have struggled lot. Due to able administration of Late P.M. Pt. Jawarlal Nehru, V.K. Krishna Menon, India have done something, which has mentioned in this passage.
I salute my fellow citizen who lost their lives for our country. Jai - Hind.
Re: Don't forget the IAF's role in the '62 war!
by Alok kumar on Nov 24, 2012 08:07 PM
Mr.Mamen,V.K.Krishna menon was solely responsible for india's defeat in the war.All old timers know this. don't bluff.
Very well thought out and a logically written article. I don't expect anything less from my course-mate. I fully agree that wars are won or lost due to political will more than the actual military might.
